Metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction

ABSTRACT

A metal safety rail for open floors of a building under construction includes a baseplate secured to a floor surface, a substantially vertical inner stanchion integrally joined to the baseplate, a substantially vertical outer stanchion slidably disposed over the inner stanchion, and at least one guard member secured to adjacent outer stanchions, whereby a safety rail is ultimately disposed about a peripheral portion of an open floor of a building under construction to prevent workers from falling from the open floor to the ground below.

This application claims priority as a divisional of application Ser. No.13/862,938, filed on Apr. 15, 2013, presently pending, which in turnclaimed priority as a Continuation in Part of application Ser. No.12/460,754, filed on Jul. 24, 2009, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,851 onApr. 23, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to safety rails or guard railsfor open air floors of buildings under construction and, moreparticularly, to metal safety rails that are reusable.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Safety rails used to prevent workers from falling from open floors ofbuildings under construction are generally fabricated from wood that issecured together with nails. The wooden safety rails is ultimately“destroyed” when the wooden safety rail is removed from the installationlocation. Further, the process of assembling and disassembling thewooden safety rail is labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.

After the work is completed for the respective open floor, the woodensafety rails are torn apart and discarded, and the respective floor isenclosed. New lumber is then required for constructing safety rails forthe next open floor of the building. The discarded wood ultimately endsup in a landfill. The new lumber for the next safety rail must bemeasured, cut and installed in the same labor intensive, time consumingmanner. The new lumber is ultimately discarded when the work is completefor the respective floor. The process is repeated until the building iscompleted.

A need exists for a metal safety rail that is reusable, that quicklyassembles and disassembles, that disassembles into two separate membersto prevent cooperating elements from being lost or damaged, and that ismore stabile, force resistant and safer than comparable wooden safetyrails. Further, the metal safety rail must meet all specificationsestablished by safety agencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principle object of the present invention is to provide a metal safetyrail for open floors of a building under construction. A feature of thesafety rail is a metal baseplate secured to a floor surface via anchorbolts. Another feature of the safety rail is a pair of inner stanchionswelded to the baseplate, each inner stanchion slidably receivingcooperating outer stanchions of two discrete rail sections. An advantageof the safety rail is that the metal baseplate and inner stanchionsmaintain the position of the safety rail upon a floor portion whentypical force magnitudes are imparted upon safety rails. Anotheradvantage of the safety rail is that the metal baseplate is detachablefrom the floor surface thereby allowing the safety rail to be reused.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal safetyrail that is easily and quickly assembled and disassembled. A feature ofthe safety rail is a plurality of metal rail sections that include twointegral metal outer stanchions that snugly slide over cooperating innerstanchions integrally joined to adjacent baseplates. An advantage of thesafety rail is that labor costs are reduced. Another advantage of thesafety rail is that the safety rail is reusable. Still another advantageof the safety rail is that no portions of the safety rail are discarded.

Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain safety forpersonnel engaging the safety rail. A feature of the safety rail is arod or joining member that secures the outer stanchion to the innerstanchion. An advantage of the safety rail is that a rail section cannotbe lifted from the inner stanchions, thereby exposing individuals to adangerous fall from the open floor under construction. Another advantageof the safety rail is that the joining member is quickly secured to andremoved from the inner, thereby minimizing time and costs to assembleand disassemble the safety rail.

Still another object of the present invention is to prevent joiningmembers from being lost or damaged. A feature of the safety rail is asleeve joined to an outer stanchion, the sleeve slidably receiving thejoining member. Another feature of the safety rail is a washer welded tothe joining member such that the washer and the sleeve cooperate tomaintain the joining member inside the outer stanchion. An advantage ofthe safety rail is that two joining members remain with each railsection, thereby preventing lost or damaged joining members and reducingthe time required to secure and separate rail sections and innerstanchions.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the safety rail tobe vertically adjustable when varying elevations are required to preventpersonnel or materials from falling from an open floor of a buildingunder construction. A feature of the safety rail is a coupling memberdisposed between portions of the inner and outer stanchions as each railsection is elevated. An advantage of the safety rail is that thecoupling member occupies “space” between the inner and outer stanchions,thereby increasing safety rail stability and resistance to forcesimparted upon one or more rail sections forming the safety rail.

Briefly, the invention provides a safety rail for open floors of abuilding under construction comprising a baseplate secured to a floorsurface; an inner substantially vertical stanchion integrally joined tosaid baseplate; an outer substantially vertical stanchion slidablydisposed over said inner stanchion; at least one guard member secured toadjacent outer stanchions; and means for removably securing said outerstanchion to said inner stanchion, whereby a plurality of baseplates,inner stanchions, outer stanchions and guard rails are ultimately joinedtogether to form a safety rail disposed about a peripheral portion of anopen floor of a building under construction, thereby preventing workersfrom falling from a floor of the building under construction to theground below.

The invention further provides a reusable safety rail for open floors ofa building under construction comprising an inner stanchion secured to afloor portion of a building under construction; an outer stanchiondisposed upon and rigidly and detachably secured to said innerstanchion; and multiple guard members removably secured to said outerstanchion, whereby a safety rail is constructed that prevents workingpersonnel from falling from a floor of an open building underconstruction.

The invention also provides a method for construction a guard rail onfloors of a building during construction, said method comprising thesteps of securing an inner stanchion to a floor portion of a buildingunder construction; disposing an outer stanchion upon said innerstanchion; rigidly and removably securing said outer stanchion to saidinner stanchion; and removably securing guard members to adjacent outerstanchions, whereby a height adjustable guard rail is constructed forpreventing workers from falling from an elevated floor portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrative embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following detailed descriptionand attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety rail for open floors of abuilding under construction in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchionsextending therefrom in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of portions of two rail sectionsdisposed upon a baseplate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified safety rail in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the modified safety rail of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchionsextending therefrom and joining members disposed above the innerstanchions for the modified safety rail of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a joining member for the modified safetyrail of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second modified safety rail inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the second modified safety rail ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchionsextending therefrom for the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded and phantom view of a joining memberfor the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 sectional view of an upper portion of the front sectional viewof FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third modified safety rail inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front sectional view of the third modified safety rail ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchionsextending therefrom and joining members disposed above the innerstanchions for the third modified safety rail of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a joining member for the third modifiedsafety rail of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourth modified safety rail inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the fourth modified safety rail ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a baseplate with inner stanchionsextending therefrom and joining members disposed above the innerstanchions for the fourth modified safety rail of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a joining member for the fourthmodified safety rail of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for thebaseplate of the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a top elevation view of the baseplate of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is same perspective view of the baseplate of FIG. 21, but with aweight disposed thereupon.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a clamping base alternative embodimentfor the baseplate of the second modified safety rail of FIG. 8 inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the clamping base of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26, butwith the clamping base being disposed upon a support beam.

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26, butwithout the support beam being depicted.

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26.

FIG. 31 is a top elevation view of the clamping base of FIG. 26.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a safety rail for the perimeter of an openfloor of building under construction is denoted as numeral 10. Thesafety rail 10 includes multiple rail sections 11 disposed upon adjacentspatially separated baseplates 12 that are secured to a floor surface 14via anchor bolts 24 integrally inserted into a floor portion 27.Cooperating nuts 27 are rotationally secured to the anchor bolts 24until the nuts 27 forcibly engage the baseplates 12. The baseplates 12include a pair of substantially vertical inner stanchions 16 integrallyjoined to each baseplate 12 via welding or similar means well known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. The rail sections 11 are secured tothe baseplates 12 via substantially vertical outer stanchions 18integrally formed into the rail sections 11, the outer stanchions 18 aresnugly slid upon cooperating inner stanchions 16 by an individual suchthat the rail sections 11 are vertically maintained when released by theindividual. Top, middle and bottom guard members 20, 21, and 22 areintegrally joined to cooperating outer stanchions 18 such that a railsection 11 is fabricated with a predetermined vertical elevationsufficient to protect personnel working on an open floor area in abuilding under constriction.

The vertical or longitudinal dimensions of the inner and outerstanchions 16 and 18 cooperate to provide stability and safety to therail section 11 when the outer stanchions 18 are disposed over the innerstanchions 16. The longer the inner stanchion 16, the more stabilityprovided to the outer stanchion 18, and the more unlikely the outerstanchion 18 would be accidently elevated from the inner stanchion 16,which could result in an individual falling from the open floor area.The vertical dimension of the outer stanchions 18 is ultimatelydetermined by the rail section 11 vertical safety elevation required bythe individuals working on the open floor area. Once the verticaldimension for the outer stanchions 18 has been selected, a verticaldimension for the inner stanchions 16 is selected that allows a firstend 42 of the outer stanchion 18 to rest upon the baseplate 12, whiledisposing the second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 slightly lower inelevation than the second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18, therebymaximizing stability and safety for the rail section 11. Obviously, ashorter vertical dimension for the inner stanchion 16 may be selected,however, stability and safety would be comprised. To prevent the outerstanchion 18 from being separated from the inner stanchion 16, the firstend 42 of the outer stanchion 18 may be secured to the first end 30 ofthe inner stanchion 16 via aperture and cotter pins or similar securingmeans well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The baseplate 12 is dimensioned to provide a stable attachment betweenthe rail sections 11 and the floor surface 14 irrespective of the forceimparted upon the safety rail 10. Typically, the baseplate 12 is aone-quarter inch thick plate of steel with a length of nine inches and awidth of six inches. The baseplate 12 is secured to a floor surface 14via threaded mounting studs 24 drilled into and integrally joined to afloor portion 26. Cooperating nuts 27 secure the baseplate 12 to themounting studs 24 such that the baseplate 12 maintains congruentengagement with the floor surface 14. The baseplate 12 includes twoinner stanchions 16 perpendicularly joined to a top wall 28 of thebaseplate 12 via welding or similar means, thereby maintaining the innerstanchions 16 in a substantially vertical position after the baseplate12 is congruently secured to the floor surface 14, irrespective of asubstantially horizontal force being imparted upon the inner stanchion16. The two inner stanchions 16 are spatially separated a distance thatallows cooperating outer stanchions 18 to snugly slide upon the twoinner stanchions 16 such that the outer stanchions 18 do not engage eachother.

The inner stanchion 16 includes a two inch diameter, four feet longpiece of schedule forty steel pipe having a first end 30 welded to thebaseplate 12. A second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16 may be open orcovered. If the outer stanchion 18 is simply slid over the innerstanchion 16 and there is no need to secure the outer stanchion 18 tothe inner stanchion, then no joining means is required between the twostanchions 16 and 18. If increased safety and stability is required forthe safety rail 10, then the outer stanchion 18 is secured to the innerstanchion 16 via a top portion 40 of a threaded joining member 38engaging a washer 43 which in turn engages a second end 44 of the outerstanchion 18. The threaded joining member 38 rotationally engages a nut36 centered and welded inside the second end 32 of the inner stanchion16 (see FIGS. 4-7). The dimensions of the inner stanchion 16 may varydepending upon the expected maximum magnitude of force ultimatelyimparted upon the safety rail 10. The dimensions of the baseplate 12,outer stanchion 18 and guard members 20 will correspondingly vary. Thedimensioning of the safety rail 10 as a function of expected maximumforce imparted upon the safety rail 10 is well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. The nut 36 is orientated to verticallyreceive the threaded joining member 38, which can be a bolt, rod orpipe. The top portion 40 of the joining member 38 and the washer 43ultimately capture and secure the outer stanchion 18 to the innerstanchion 16. A plurality of drain apertures 37 are provided at the baseof the first end 30 of the inner stanchion 16 to allow rain and moisturecollected between the baseplate 12 and the first end 30 to exit theinner stanchion 16.

The outer stanchion 18 includes a portion of schedule forty steel pipehaving a diameter and length relatively larger than the correspondingdiameter and length of the inner stanchion 16 to promote the snugdisposition of the outer stanchion 18 over the inner stanchion 16. Therelatively larger outer stanchion 18 slides over the inner stanchion 16until a first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 engages the top wall 28of the baseplate 12. If the outer stanchion 18 must be secured to theinner stanchion 16, then a shaft portion 39 of the joining member 38 isinserted into an open second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18 until athreaded bottom portion 41 of the shaft portion 39 engages nut 36 in theinner stanchion 16 (see FIGS. 4-7). The joining member 38 is thenrotated via manual or tool means such that the threaded bottom portion41 inserts into the nut 36 until the top or knob portion 40 of thejoining member 38 engages the second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18,thereby forcibly securing the outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion16, resulting in a rigid, stable stanchion assembly capable ofsupporting the guard members 20 such that workers are prevented fromfalling from a floor of a building under construction to the groundbelow. A plurality of drain apertures 48 are provided at the base of thefirst end 42 of the outer stanchion 18 to allow rain and moisturecollected between the baseplate 12 and the first end 42 of the outerstanchion 18, and rain and moisture exiting the inner stanchion 16 toexit the outer stanchion 18 and flow upon the floor surface 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, an alternative design for securing theouter stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16 via the joining member 38in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The alternativedesign includes a metal cylindrical sleeve 52 integrally joined viawelding or similar means to an upper arcuate portion 53 of the outerstanchion 18. A bottom portion 54 of the sleeve 52 is configured tocongruently engage the upper arcuate portion 53 such that the sleeve 52is axially aligned with the outer stanchion 18 and with an aperture 56in the upper arcuate portion 53, thereby providing access to the outerstanchion 18 and the inner stanchion 16 therein for a threaded joiningmember 38 to rotationally engage a cooperatively threaded funnel member55 that is secured to an upper collar 57 which is integrally joined tothe second end 32 of the inner stanchion 16. The upper collar 57provides increased surface area for improving the weld maintaining theposition of the funnel member 55 relative to the inner stanchion 16.

The baseplate 12 includes a steel reinforcing bar 58 welded to thebaseplate 12 and disposed between lower securing collars 59 thatintegrally join the inner stanchions 16 to the baseplate 12. Thereinforcing bar 58 prevents the baseplate 12 from deforming when aperson leans against or otherwise imparts a force upon the assembledsafety rail 10. A deformed baseplate 12 allows corresponding railsections 11 to “bend” opposite to the direction of the imparted force,which could cause a person to fall from the floor area being guarded bythe safety rail 10. The securing collars 59 provide increased surfacearea for securing the inner stanchions 16 to the baseplate 12 viawelding or similar means, thereby maintaining the inner stanchions 16 ina substantially vertical position irrespective of the force imparted tothe outer stanchions 18 via the rail sections 11.

The joining member 38 includes a threaded rod 61 having a blunt upperend 63 that inserts through a sleeve engagement washer 65 androtationally inserts through a retaining nut 67 and into a handle 69.The joining member 38 further includes a relatively “pointed” lower end71 that “finds” and is inserted into a threaded aperture 74 in thefunnel member 55, then promotes rotational engagement between the rod 61and the funnel member 55 to ultimately secure the joining member 38 andthe outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16. A retaining washer 73is welded to an upper portion of the threaded rod 61 to prevent thejoining member 38 from being extracted or otherwise removed from theouter stanchion 18, thereby preventing the joining member from beinglost or damaged which would eventually occur should the joining member38 be separated from the outer stanchion 18. The retaining washer 73includes a diameter dimensioned slightly larger than the diameter of thesleeve 52 to prevent the washer 73 from being manually urged through thesleeve 52 and extracted from the outer stanchion 18. The sleeveengagement washer 65 promotes the forcible rotation of the retaining nut67 against the sleeve 52 to “lock-in” the position of the outerstanchion relative to the joining member 38 and the inner stanchion 16without excessive wear to cooperating surfaces of the retaining nut 67and the sleeve 52.

The joining member 38 is secured to the outer stanchion 18 by insertingthe upper end 63 of the rod 61 (without the washer 65, retaining nut 67or handle 69 attached) through the first end 42 of the outer stanchion18, which is separated from the inner stanchion 16, and through thesleeve 52; whereupon, the washer 65, retaining nut 67 and handle 69 aresecured to the upper end 63 of the rod 61. The removable handle 69, nut67 and washer 65 cooperate with the fixed location of the retainingwasher 73 upon the rod 61 to secure the joining member 38 to the outerstanchion 18, while allowing the rod 61 to axially slide within thesleeve 52 a longitudinal distance determined by distance between theretaining washer 73 and the bottom portion 54 of the sleeve 52 when theretaining nut 67 urges the washer 65 into engagement with the sleeve 52.

The safety rail 10 is assembled by disposing the outer stanchion 18 uponthe inner stanchion 16. As the outer stanchion 18 is lowered upon theinner stanchion 16, the pointed lower end 71 of the rod ultimatelyengages a “downwardly” sloping funnel wall 75 of the funnel member 55which urges the lower end 71 into the threaded aperture 74; whereupon,the handle 69 is manually rotated to secure the outer stanchion 18 uponthe inner stanchion 16. In the event that the lower end 71 of the rod 61did not slide upon the funnel wall 75, but was instead “locked” in placedue to misalignment between the rod 61, outer stanchion 18 and/or innerstanchion 16, then the rod 61 could be bent or otherwise damaged suchthat structural integrity of the assemble safety rail 10 would becompromised.

To prevent damage to the rod 61, the retaining washer 73 is positionedupon the rod 61 such that sufficient longitudinal movement of the rodwithin the outer stanchion 18 is provided to allow the lower end 71 ofthe rod to “rest” upon the funnel wall 75 without any weight or manualforce from the outer stanchion 18 transferred to the rod 61. To removethe outer stanchion 18 from the inner stanchion 16, the handle 69 ismanually rotated to extract the rod 61 from the funnel member 55;whereupon, the rail section 11 and outer stanchion 18 is separated fromthe inner stanchion 16. The joining member 38 will remain with the outerstanchion 18 until the handle 69, retaining nut 67 and washer 65 areremoved from the rod 61, thereby allowing the rod 61 to be manuallypulled from the first end 42 of the outer stanchion 18.

Multiple guard members 20, 21 and 22 having a length not exceeding eightfeet are integrally joined to adjacent outer stanchions 18 to form onerail section 11. Alternatively, the guard members 20, 21 and 22 may bedetachably secured to the outer stanchion 18 via clamp assemblies(manufactured by I B&M tubular Products, located at 1919 W. 19^(th) St.,Broadview, Ill. 60155) that provide a relatively fast attachment to formthe rail sections 11 about a predetermined periphery of an open floor ofa building under construction. The guard members 20, 21 and 22 include amyriad of configurations including, but not limited to steel cables,angle iron, steel flat bars, chain linked fence and combinationsthereof. The selection of any particular guard member 20, 21 and 22 mustbe capable of resisting an expected maximum force that might be impartedupon safety rail 10.

A completed safety rail 10 extending about the perimeter of an openfloor generally includes a height of about four feet. However, duringthe construction or after the completion of the safety rail 10, it maybe determined that a safety rail 10 is required that is greater thanfour feet in height. The height of the safety rail 10 is quicklyincreased by rotationally removing the joining member 38 from the innerstanchion 16, then slidably lifting the outer stanchion 18 from theinner stanchion 16. An outer stanchion 18 having a length and guardmembers 20, 21 and 22 attached thereto that results in a safety rail 10having the required height, is slidably disposed upon the innerstanchion 16. The joining member 38 is then reinserted into the longerouter stanchion 18 until rotationally engaging the inner stanchion 16,thereby securing the longer outer stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion16. The replacement process is repeated for all the outer stanchions 18.In the event that the shaft portion 39 of the joining member 38 is notsufficiently long to have the threaded bottom portion 41 rotationallyengage the centered nut 36, then a replacement joining member isprovided with a shaft portion 39 having sufficient length torotationally insert the threaded bottom portion 41 into the nut 36.

In the event that the lengthened outer stanchion 18 promotes andunstable or relatively “weak” force resistant outer stanchion and safetyrail 10, a coupling member 50 (FIG. 5) such as a pipe or similarstructure is disposed between the second end 32 of the inner stanchion16 and the top portion 40 of the joining member 38. The coupling member50 may be used with an open or covered second end 44 of the outerstanchion, so long as the ends of the coupling member 50 are designed tobe removably secured to cooperating second ends 32 and 44 of the innerand outer stanchions 16 and 18. The pipe coupling member 50 allows theshaft portion 39 of the joining member 38 to longitudinally extendtherethrough, thereby enabling the coupling member 50 to be quicklyinserted or removed from the separated inner and outer stanchions 16 and18. The coupling member 50 effectively “fills” the void between thesecond end 44 of an elevated outer stanchion 18, and the second end 32of the inner stanchion 16, resulting in increased stability and forceresistance for the outer stanchion 18 as well as the entire safety rail10.

In operation, a safety rail 10 is constructed having a predeterminedlength substantially equal to the perimeter of an open floor of abuilding under construction. A quantity of baseplates 12, inner andouter stanchions 16 and 18, and guard members 20 are selected to providea length of safety rail 10 sufficient to enclose the perimeter of aselected open floor. Further, the baseplates 12, inner and outerstanchions 16 and 18, and guard members 20 are selected and dimensionedto provide the required strength and stability required to contain anexpected maximum force that might be imparted upon the safety rail 10 bya worker or machine. The baseplates, and the inner stanchions 16integrally joined thereto, are disposed upon a floor surface 14 andspatially separated a predetermined distance. The baseplates are thenjoined to a floor portion 26 via anchor bolts 24 and nuts 27. An outerstanchion 18 is manually slid over the inner stanchion 16. If enhancedsafety and stability is not required, then the outer stanchion 18 is notsecured to the inner stanchion. If enhanced safety and stability isrequired, then the outer stanchion 18 is secured to the inner stanchion16 via a threaded bottom portion 41 of a shaft portion 39 of a joiningmember 38 rotationally inserted into a nut 36 integrally joined to thesecond end 32 of the inner stanchion 16. The threaded bottom 41 ismanually rotated into the nut 36 until a top portion 40 of the joiningmember 38 forcibly engages a second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18,such that the outer stanchion 18 is stable relative to the innerstanchion 16 irrespective of the magnitude and direction of forceimparted upon the safety rail 10. The cooperating inner and outerstanchions 16 and 18 result in a rigid safety rail 10 that is relativelyeasy to assemble and disassemble, that is height adjustable aftercompletely being assembled, and that is rigid, stable and designed towithstand forces of predetermined magnitudes and direction such thatworkers and materials are prevented from falling from an elevated floorof a building under construction to the ground below.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, an alternative configuration for thejoined inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 is depicted. The innerstanchion 16 includes a metal cap or cover 60 integrally joined to asecond end 32 of the inner stanchion 16, the cap 60 including a centerednut 62 integrally joined to the cap 60. The outer stanchion 18 includesa metal cap or cover 64 integrally joined to a second end 44 of theouter stanchion 18, the cap 64 including a centered aperture 66 thatallows a washer 68 to be disposed upon a top edge portion 70 of theaperture 66. A bolt 72 is ultimately inserted through the washer 68 androtationally inserted into the nut 62 until the outer stanchion 18 isrigidly secured to the inner stanchion 16. In the event longer outerstanchions 18 are required to fabricate a safety rail 10, longer bolts72 and coupling members 50 may be required to secure and stabilize theouter stanchion 18 to the inner stanchion 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-20, another alternative configuration for thejoined inner and outer stanchions 16 and 18 is depicted. The innerstanchion 16 includes a metal cap 80 integrally joined to a second end32 of the inner stanchion 16, the cap 80 including a centered stud 82integrally joined to and extending upward from a top wall 81 of the cap80. The outer stanchion 18 includes a metal cap 84 integrally joined toa second end 44 of the outer stanchion 18, the cap 84 including acentered aperture 86 that allows a washer 88 to be disposed upon a topedge portion 90 of the aperture 86. A nut 92 is rotationally secured toa threaded end 94 of the stud 82 until the outer stanchion 18 is rigidlysecured to the inner stanchion 16. The ultimate length selected for theouter stanchion 18 is limited to the cooperating length of the stud 82extending upward from the cap 80 covering the second end 32 of the innerstanchion 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, an alternative baseplate or anchor base110 is depicted. The anchor base 110 is a relatively heavy object with arelatively large rectangular configuration and is included as an elementof the safety rail 10 described above when the safety rail 10 cannot besecured to the floor surface 14 via the baseplate 12, but instead, thesafety rail 10 must be set upon the floor surface 14 without usingattaching components. The anchor base 110 is fabricated from arelatively heavy metal such as carbon steel and includes substantiallycylindrical carbon steel inner stanchions 116 perpendicularly andintegrally joined to the surface of the anchor base 110. The innerstanchions 116 function substantially the same as the inner stanchions16 that removably receive the outer stanchions 18 of the safety rail 10described above. More specifically, the inner stanchions 116 slidablyreceive the outer stanchions 18 thereupon such that the safety rail 10is vertically disposed in a substantially rigid position therebyprotecting workers proximate to the safety rail 10. The configurationand dimensions of the anchor base 110 cooperate with the configurationand dimensions of the baseplate 12 such that the baseplate 12 and anchorbase 110 can be adjacently disposed to receive opposing outer stanchions18 of the same rail section 11, thereby allowing the baseplate 12 to beattached to one portion of the floor surface 14 and allowing the anchorbase 110 to be disposed upon an adjacent second portion of the floorsurface 14 that cannot have intrusive anchor bolts 24 forcibly insertedinto the second portion of the floor surface 14.

Funnel members 117 are integrally secured to open top ends 118 of theinner stanchions 116. The funnel members 117 include central threadedapertures 121 that rotationally receive cooperating threaded endportions of threaded rods 61 that ultimately secured rail sections 11 tothe inner stanchions 116. A gripping member 123 fabricated from arelatively dense, rigid rubber material is secured to a bottom wall ofthe anchor base 110 to prevent the anchor base 110 from sliding upon thefloor surface 14 after the safety rail 10 has been assembled. Toincrease the force maintaining the relative position of the anchor base110 upon the floor once the safety rail 10 has been assembled, twoopposing apertures 125 are provided to receive relatively small securingscrews (not depicted) having sufficient length to insert through theanchor base 110 and into the floor surface 14, thereby securing theanchor base 110 to the floor without damaging the floor surface 14.

The anchor base 110 further includes a carbon steel guiding stanchion129 vertically and integrally joined to the surface of the anchor base110. The guiding stanchion 129 is vertically dimensioned and configuredto removably receive a relatively heavy dense rubber weight 131 via anaperture 132 (see FIG. 25) such that the weight 131 is maintained uponthe upper surface of the anchor base 110 in a predetermined position.The weight 131 increases the force for maintaining the relative positionof the anchor base 110 upon the floor surface 14 after the safety rail10 as been assembled. The guiding stanchion 129 includes a threaded cap133 disposed upon a threaded end of the guiding stanchion 129. The cap133 provides a cover to keep water from accumulating inside thestanchion 129, and upon removing the cap 133, an extension of pipe canbe secured to the threaded end of the stanchion 129 via a coupling (notdepicted) should added weights 131 be required to be stacked to furtherincrease the force impressing the base 110 upon the floor surface 14,thereby increasing the vertical stability of the assembled safety rail10 and the friction of the gripping member 123 upon the floor surface 14to maintain the relative position of the anchor base 110 upon the floorsurface 14.

The weight 131 includes a gap 135 to allow cooperating portions of theweight 131 to separate to promote the insertion of the cap 133 throughthe aperture 132 when disposing one or more weights 131 upon the anchorbase 110. The weight 131 further includes a second aperture 137 thatexposes a corresponding aperture 125 in the base to allow the aperture125 to receive a securing screw when the weight 131 is disposed upon theanchor base 110. The second aperture 137 includes a semi-circleconfiguration that allows a persons hand to comfortably inserttherethrough to manually lift and carry the weight 131. A second gap 139is provided in the weight 131 to promote the removal of the weight 131from the anchor base 110 by a person grasping one of the two “fingers”141 formed by the second gap 139, then elevating the weight 131 from thesurface of the anchor base 110 or a lower weight 131 when multipleweights 131 are disposed upon the anchor base 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-31, yet another alternative baseplate orclamping base is depicted and denoted as numeral 150. Instead of usingthe baseplate 12 or the anchor base 110 described above, the clampingbase 150 is depicted as an element of the safety rail 10 when the safetyrail 10 cannot be secured to and/or set upon the floor surface 14. Theclamping base 150 is ultimately secured to a support beam 152 or similarsupport structure as depicted in FIG. 28. The clamping base 150 includesa clamping arm 154, an extension arm 156, a stanchion base 158, alocking member 160 and locking pins 162. All portions of the clampingbase 150 are fabricated from carbon steel except for the locking pins162, which are fabricated from stainless steel. The stanchion base 158includes inner stanchions 164 having substantially the sameconfigurations and functions as the inner stanchions 16 described above.The inner stanchions 164 are integrally joined, via welding or similarmeans, to an outer top wall 166 of a base member or first “U” configuredchannel 168 (when taking a front elevation (FIG. 28) view of theclamping base 150). The inner stanchions 164 are dimensioned anddisposed upon the top wall 166 to cooperatively receive outer stanchions18 of corresponding rail sections 11 in substantially the same manner asdepicted in FIG. 9. The first U configured channel 168 maintains itsconfiguration via angle arms 170 integrally joined to inner top wall 172and inner side wall 174, irrespective of the amount of force impartedupon the outer top wall 166 by the rail sections 11, which areultimately secured to the inner stanchions 164.

The configuration and dimensions of the clamping base 150 cooperate withthe configurations and dimensions of the baseplate 12 and/or the anchorbase 110 such that the baseplate 12 or the anchor base 110 can beadjacently disposed to the clamping base 150 to receive opposing outerstanchions 18 of the same rail section 11, thereby allowing thebaseplate 12 or anchor base 110 to be attached to one portion of thefloor surface 14, and allowing the clamping base 150 to be disposed uponan adjacent support beam 152 that supports a second portion of the floorsurface 14.

The stanchion base 158 further includes vertical and horizontal channelbars 176 and 178 integrally joined together to form a “T” configuration,such that the horizontal channel bar 178 is disposed and dimensioned tosnugly and slidably receive a horizontal channel portion 180 of theclamping arm 154 through a central aperture 182. The vertical channelbar 176 is integrally secured to the outer top wall 166 and an innerbottom wall 184 of the first U channel 168 via cooperating recesses 183that allow the vertical channel bar 176 to snugly slide into cooperativeengagement with the first U channel 168. Welding or similar means areused to integrally secure the vertical channel bar 176 to the U channel168, thereby maintaining the vertical channel bar 176 in a substantiallyvertical position, irrespective of the force imparted upon the clampingbase 150 by rail sections 11. The first U channel 168 includes an outerside wall 185 having a first retaining pad 187 integrally joined viaglue or similar means to the outer side wall 185. The first retainingpad 187 is fabricated from rubber or similar “gripping” material capableof maintaining the position of the clamping base 150 relative to thesupport beam 152, irrespective of the force imparted upon the clampingbase 150 by the rail sections 11.

The clamping arm 154 includes a vertical channel bar portion 186integrally joined to the horizontal channel bar portion 180 such that asubstantially right angle is formed, thereby vertically disposing anouter side wall 188 of a second U channel 189, which is integrallyjoined to the vertical portion 186 in substantially the same manner asthe first U channel 168 is integrally joined to the vertical channel bar176 of the stanchion base 158. A second rubber retaining pad 190 isintegrally joined to the outer side wall 188. The second rubber pad 190is oppositely disposed to the first retaining pad 187 when the clampingarm is slidably inserted through the horizontal channel bar 178 of thestanchion base 158. The first and second rubber pads 187 and 190ultimately engage corresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152with sufficient force to maintain the initial position of the clampingbase 150 upon the support beam 152 irrespective of the force impartedupon the clamping base 150 by the rail sections 11 secured to the innerstanchions 164.

The relative positions of the clamping arm 154 and the stanchion base158 are detachably secured via the locking member 160. The lockingmember 160 includes upper and lower portions 192 and 194 that form anobtuse angle that promotes the securing of the clamping arm 154 relativeto the stanchion base 158. The upper portion 192 includes asubstantially square configured aperture 198 that snugly and slidablyreceives the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm 154. The lowerportion 194 includes a threaded aperture that rotationally receives athreaded rod 200 having a handle 202 secured to a first end and athreaded cap 204 secured to a second end. Upon manually inserting thehorizontal portion 180 through the horizontal channel bar 178 such thatthe first and second retaining pads 187 and 190 are disposed uponcorresponding side walls 191 of the support beam 152, the locking member160 is manually slid until the cap 204 engages a side wall 206 of thevertical channel bar 176. The lower portion 194 of the locking member isangularly disposed relative to the side wall 206, resulting in thethreaded rod 200 being angularly disposed relative to the side wall 206when the rod 200 is perpendicularly urged through the lower portion 194.The handle 202 is then rotated such that the threaded rod forcibly urgesthe cap 204 into the side wall 206 at an angle determined by thelongitudinal axis of the threaded rod 200 relative to the side wall 206.As the handle 202 rotates, the lower portion 194 of the locking member160 is urged in a corresponding direction substantially opposite fromthe side wall 206, resulting in the upper portion 192 of the lockingmember 160 pivoting upon the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm154 and driving edges 208 of the aperture 198 into the surfaces of thehorizontal portion 180 to ultimately secure the locking member 160 tothe horizontal portion 180 and correspondingly “pull” the horizontalportion 180 continuously through the horizontal channel bar 178 as thehandle 202 is rotated, until the first and second retaining pads 187 and190 are forcibly compressed against corresponding side walls 191 of thesupport beam 152. The compressed pads 187 and 190 provide sufficientgrasping force to maintain the position of the clamping base 150,irrespective of the weight of the rail sections 11 secured to the innerstanchions 164, and irrespective of the elevation of the clamping arm154 above a top wall 196 of the support beam 152. A locking pin 162 isthen inserted through pin aperture 169 to prevent the locking member 160from sliding off the horizontal portion 180 of the clamping arm 154 whenthe handle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the locking member 160 toultimately remove the clamping base 150 from the support beam 152.

In the event that the dimensions of the support beam 152 or structureare such that the longitudinal dimension of the horizontal portion 180of the clamping arm 154 is to short to span the support beam 152, anextension arm channel 156 having a predetermined longitudinal dimensionis used to span the beam 152 and ultimately disposed the pads 187 and190 upon cooperating side walls 191 of the beam 152. The extension arm156 includes an insertion portion 209 having a cross sectional area thatallows the insertion portion 209 to be snugly inserted into thehorizontal portion 180 via an aperture 212. The extension arm furtherincludes an end portion 210 having a cross sectional area substantiallyequal to the cross sectional area of the horizontal portion 180. Thedimensions and configurations of the insertion and end portions 209 and210 cooperate with the dimensions and configuration of the horizontalportion 180 to promote the insertion of the insertion portion 209 untilthe end portion 210 engages the horizontal portion 180, therebypositioning a pin aperture 165 in the insertion portion 209 in axialalignment with a pin aperture 163 in the horizontal portion 180, anddisposing aperture 167 in the end portion 210 past a corresponding sidewall 191 of the support beam 152 due to the predetermined longitudinaldimension of the end portion 210. A locking pin 162 is then insertedthrough the aligned apertures 163 and 165 to maintain the position ofthe extension arm 156 relative to the clamping arm 154, and thehorizontal channel bar 178 of the stanchion base 158 is slid upon theend portion 210 until the first pad 187 engages a side wall 191 of thebeam 152.

The locking member 160 is then slid upon the end portion 210 until thecap 204 engages the side wall 206 of the vertical channel bar 176,whereupon the first and second pads 187 and 190 are disposed to engagerespective side walls 191 of the support beam 152, and the handle 202 istightened as described above until the first and second pads 187 and 190are compressed against the side walls 191, thereby providing the samegripping force to maintain the position of the clamping base 150 uponthe support beam 152, irrespective of the weight of the of the railsections 11 secured to the inner stanchions 164, and irrespective of theelevation of the clamping arm 154 above a top wall 196 of the supportbeam 152. A locking pin 162 is then inserted through pin aperture 167 toprevent the locking member 160 from sliding off the end portion 210 whenthe handle 202 is rotated to “unlock” the locking member 160 toultimately remove the clamping base 150 from the support beam 152.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration only and isnot intended to limit the scope of protection accorded this invention.The scope of protection is to be measured by the following claims, whichshould be interpreted as broadly as the inventive contribution permits.

1. A baseplate for supporting a safety rail upon a predeterminedstructure, said baseplate remaining unattached to the structureirrespective of the weight and/or configuration of the safety rail,comprising: a top wall having a first portion configured and dimensionedfor allowing at least one inner stanchion to be integrally joined tosaid first portion of said top wall such that said inner stanchion isvertically disposed to receive a cooperating portion of the safety rail,said top wall having a second portion configured and dimensioned forallowing at least one guiding stanchion to be integrally joined to saidsecond portion of said top wall such that said guiding stanchion isvertically disposed; a gripping member secured to a bottom wall of saidbaseplate for preventing said baseplate from moving upon a correspondingsurface of the structure; and at least one relatively heavy weightmember having a central aperture to receive said guiding stanchion toallow said weight member to engage said second portion of said top wall,said guiding stanchion cooperating with said second portion of said topwall to maintain the relative position of said weight member upon saidsecond portion irrespective of movement of said baseplate, whereby saidbaseplate cooperates with adjacent baseplates to vertically maintain theposition of a safety rail upon structure without attaching thebaseplates to the structure.
 2. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein saidbaseplate is fabricated from a relatively heavy material.
 3. Thebaseplate of claim 1 wherein said baseplate includes a rectangularconfiguration having predetermined dimensions.
 4. The baseplate of claim1 wherein said first portion of said top wall includes two innerstanchions to be integrally joined to said first portion.
 5. Thebaseplate of claim 1 wherein said guiding stanchion includes a threadedtop end for securing an extension member to said threaded top end toultimately increase the vertical dimension of said guiding stanchion toultimately add and vertically stack weight members upon said secondportion of said top wall for increasing the force imparted upon saidbaseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stability of the safety railand the friction of said gripping member upon the structure to maintainthe relative position of said baseplate upon the surface of thestructure.
 6. The baseplate of claim 1 wherein said weight memberincludes a gap for allowing cooperating portions of said weight memberto separate to promote the insertion of a cap member through saidcentral aperture when disposing said weight member upon said baseplate.7. The baseplate of claim 6 wherein said weight member includes a secondaperture that exposes a corresponding aperture in said baseplate forallowing said corresponding aperture to receive a securing screw whensaid weight member is disposed upon said baseplate, thereby allowingsaid baseplate to be secured to the structure when increased safety railstability is required with limited damage to the surface of thestructure.
 8. The baseplate of claim 7 wherein said second aperture ofsaid weight member includes a semi-circle configuration that promotesthe manually lifting and carrying of said weight member.
 9. Thebaseplate of claim 8 wherein said second aperture of said weight memberincludes a second gap for promoting the removal of said weight memberfrom said baseplate by the manually grasping of one of two fingersformed by said second aperture and said second gap.
 10. A baseplate forsupporting a safety rail upon a predetermined structure, said baseplateremaining unattached to the structure irrespective of the weight andconfiguration of the safety rail, comprising: a top wall having a firstportion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one innerstanchion to be integrally joined to said first portion of said top wallsuch that said inner stanchion is vertically disposed to receive acooperating portion of the safety rail, said top wall having a secondportion configured and dimensioned for allowing at least one guidingstanchion to be integrally joined to said second portion of said topwall such that said guiding stanchion is vertically disposed; a grippingmember secured to a bottom wall of said baseplate for preventing saidbaseplate from moving upon a corresponding surface of the structure; atleast one relatively heavy weight member having a central aperture toreceive said guiding stanchion to allow said weight member to engagesaid second portion of said top wall, said guiding stanchion cooperatingwith said second portion of said top wall to maintain the relativeposition of said weight member upon said second portion irrespective ofmovement of said baseplate; and means for vertically increasing thenumber of weight members upon said second portion of said top wall tomaintain baseplate stability irrespective of the weight and/orconfiguration of the safety rail, whereby said baseplate cooperates withadjacent baseplates to vertically maintain the position of a safety railupon the structure without attaching the baseplates to the structure.11. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said baseplate is fabricated froma relatively heavy material.
 12. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein saidbaseplate includes a rectangular configuration having predetermineddimensions.
 13. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said first portion ofsaid top wall includes two inner stanchions to be integrally joined tosaid first portion.
 14. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein said means forincreasing the number of weight members includes said guiding stanchionhaving a threaded top end for securing an extension member to saidthreaded top end to ultimately increase the vertical dimension of saidguiding stanchion to ultimately add and vertically stack weight membersupon said second portion of said top wall for increasing the forceimparted upon said baseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stabilityof the safety rail and the friction of said gripping member upon thestructure to maintain the relative position of said baseplate upon thesurface of the structure.
 15. The baseplate of claim 10 wherein saidweight member includes a first gap for allowing cooperating portions ofsaid weight member to separate to promote the insertion of a cap memberof said guiding stanchion through said central aperture when disposingsaid weight member upon said baseplate.
 16. The baseplate of claim 15wherein said weight member includes a second aperture that exposes acorresponding aperture in said baseplate for allowing said correspondingaperture to receive a securing screw when said weight member is disposedupon said baseplate, thereby allowing said baseplate to be secured tothe structure when increased safety rail stability is required withlimited damage to the surface of the structure.
 17. The baseplate ofclaim 16 wherein said second aperture of said weight member includes asemi-circle configuration that promotes the manually lifting andcarrying of said weight member.
 18. The baseplate of claim 17 whereinsaid second aperture of said weight member includes a second gap forpromoting the removal of said weight member from said baseplate by themanually grasping of one of two fingers formed by said second apertureand said second gap.
 19. A plurality of baseplates for supporting asafety rail upon a predetermined structure, said baseplates remainingunattached to the structure irrespective of the weight and configurationof the safety rail, comprising: a predetermined number of baseplatescorresponding to a safety rail length formed from multiple railsections, each one of said baseplates being separated from an adjacentbaseplate a predetermined distance, each of said ones of said baseplatescomprising: a top wall having a first portion configured and dimensionedfor allowing at least two inner stanchions to be integrally joined tosaid first portion of said top wall such that said inner stanchions arevertically disposed to receive a cooperating portion of the safety rail,said top wall having a second portion configured and dimensioned forallowing at least one guiding stanchion to be integrally joined to saidsecond portion of said top wall such that said guiding stanchion isvertically disposed; a gripping member secured to a bottom wall of eachof said ones of said baseplates for preventing said baseplates frommoving upon a corresponding surface of the structure; at least onerelatively heavy weight member having a central aperture to receive saidguiding stanchion to allow said weight member to engage said secondportion of said top wall, said guiding stanchion cooperating with saidsecond portion of said top wall to maintain the relative position ofsaid weight member upon said second portion irrespective of movement ofsaid baseplate; and means for vertically increasing the verticaldimension of said guiding stanchion to vertically increase the number ofweight members upon said second portion of said top wall to maintainbaseplate stability irrespective of the weight and/or configuration ofthe safety rail, whereby said baseplate cooperates with adjacentbaseplates to vertically maintain the position of a safety rail upon thestructure without attaching the baseplates to the structure.
 20. Thebaseplate of claim 19 wherein said means for increasing the verticaldimension of said guiding stanchion includes said guiding stanchionhaving a threaded top end for securing an extension member to saidthreaded top end to ultimately increase the vertical dimension of saidguiding stanchion to ultimately add and vertically stack weight membersupon said second portion of said top wall for increasing the forceimparted upon said baseplate, thereby increasing the vertical stabilityof the safety rail and the friction of said gripping member upon thestructure to maintain the relative position of said baseplate upon thesurface of the structure.